Ebay payment how do you tell if a Postal Order is real?

black-saturn

A couple of months ago I received a postal order for just over £1 which turned out to be forged. Only the bank didnt tell me that until 2 weeks later when the item had already been posted. Someones just completed checkout on an item I've sold and said they will pay by postal order. It's a slightly larger amount this time so how can I make sure it doesn't happen again and what should I look out for?

frivolous_fay

Did the last one look fishy? Was it the one that was hand-written?

I imagine the PO are the only people who can confirm a real PO - they're so new, I wouldn't know the difference.

black-saturn

The last one was printed as far as I remember.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

If you were to take the Postal Order to the Post Office they would be able to tell you straight away if it was genuine/fake.

Also if the Postal Orders have not been crossed then you can cash them at the Post Office and receive the cash sraight away.

If you do decide to pay the Postal Order into your bank account remember never to post the item out until it has cleared. Treat it just like you would do a cheque.

black-saturn

I thought postal orders were meant to clear straight away though? To cash one at the post office will I need ID?

Sugar_Coated_Owl

I don't believe a Postal Order clears straight away when it is paid into a bank account. To my knowledge it is just the same as a cheque.

Unless youre a regular at your Post Office then yes I would assume that they would ask for ID. A debit/credit card is usually suitable.

frivolous_fay

You can also pay in crossed POs over the counter at the PO if you bank with smile, cahoot, or similar.

Sorry to harp on about it but I happen to think it's really handy

bleugh

how to find out a postal order is real????

take it to a POST OFFICE to cash it

if it's crossed, they can at least confirm it's real

quoia

They look like this

http://www.sorcerers-apprentice.co.uk/pocharge.htm

skylineboy2002

so crossed po's can be cashed at banks?

i thought po's only used at post office's?

i only ever use paypal auction's anyway, im lazy..

unless i see a real bargain that uses check's or p orders.

seems that people like using paypal coz a few clicks and all they have to do is wait for it to come, you can pick up some bargains if the seller doesnt use paypal and you have to do a bit of leg work..

Amazombie

skylineboy2002 wrote:

so crossed po's can be cashed at banks?

Nope they can be paid into an account at a bank but they cant be "cashed" at a bank only at a Post Office if they arent crossed.